Switch mounting



L. G. MILLER SWITCH MOUNTING July 27, 1954 Filed April 19, 1951 ATTORNEYS Patented July 27, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH MOUNTINGLouis G. Miller, Milwaukee, Wis. Application April 19, 1951, Serial No.221,867

1 Claim. 1

This invention appertains to signals for automobiles, and is acontinuation in part of my prior application Ser. No. 111,041, filedAugust 18, 1949, now abandoned.

In warning signals for automobiles, such as in the pre-brake lightdisclosed in my prior application, where an electric circuit is closedthrough a signal light bulb when the foot is removed from the acceleratopedal, much difiiculty is encountered in installing switches ondifferent makes and models of automobiles. In all installations withwhich I am familiar, the switch is secured to the engine or some otherstationary part of the automobile. This requires various types ofbrackets to suit diiferent makes of automobiles and in some instances anumber of dilferent kinds of brackets are furnished by manufacturers inthe package containing the signal light equipment. Even with a pluralityof different kinds of brackets, diiiiculty is encountered in properlylocating the switch at a correct angle relative to the throttle rod ofthe engine.

It is therefore one of the primary objects of my invention to providenovel means for mounting the switch itself directly on the throttle rodfor movement therewith or other desired moving part of the carburetorlinkage and then anchor the pull chain for the switch, by means of asimple screw, to a convenient stationary part of the automobile.

Another salient object of my invention is the provision of a novelmounting bracket for the switch, whereby the switch can be placed at anypoint around the throttle rod and angle thereto, whereby the pull chaincan be successfully led to a convenient part of the automobile, withoutinterfering with other working parts of the vehicle.

A further important object of my invention is to provide a switchmounting bracket of the above character, which includes a mounting clampfor receiving the throttle rod or other moving part of a carburetorlinkage which can be turned or rotated entirely around the rod to adesired position and thereafter secured in place against movement inconjunction with an angle plate carrying the switch which can beadjusted on the clamp to a desired position.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel means formounting a simple switch on a moving part of a carburetor linkage, whichwill be durable and efficient in use, and one that will be inexpensiveto manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the inat any desired (C1.ZOO-61.89)

vention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation ofparts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described and claimed,and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which drawing,

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the novel meansemployed for connecting the switch to the throttle rod, parts of thefigure being shown in section.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view, showing the improved switchmounting.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1,looking in the direction of the arrows, illustrating one end of theswitch mounting.

Figure 4 is a similar sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a detail longitudinal sectional view through the switch,taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of thearrows.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein similar reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter Bgenerally indicates the novel bracket or mounting fo connecting a switchS to a moving part of a carburetor linkage, such as a throttle rod R ofan engine E.

Only a part of the throttle rod R and engine E has been shown,sufficient to illustrate the operation of the switch S and the mountingbracket B.

The switch S preferably includes an outer metal shell Ill, closed at oneend by a wall I I formed of non-electric conducting material. Secured tothe shell I 0 is an externally threaded guide sleeve l2, through whichslidably extends the switch plunger l3. Secured to the inner end of theplunger is a disc I4, formed of non-electric conducting material, andthe periphery of the disc has connected therewith a conductor ring I5.An expansion spring I 6 is confined within the shell I0 and is coiledabout the plunger rod I3 and normally functions to hold the plunger inand the fiber disc I 4 against the end wall II. The shell has connectedthereto at diametrically opposed points, electric conducting contact members H, which can be in the nature of screws. These contact members i Iare insulated from the shell and also constitute binding posts wherebyelectric conductor wires I8 can be anchored thereto. The conductor wiresl8 form means whereby the switch can be electrically connected to abattery and signal light bulb (not shown). The switch plunger I3,extends exteriorly of the shell l and is provided with an eye 19 towhich is anchored one end of a coil spring 20, the purpose of which willlater appear. Ihe guide sleeve [2 for the plunger rod [3 alsoconstitutes means whereby the switch can be conveniently secured inplace by the mounting bracket B, which will now be described.

The mounting bracket B includes a clamp 2! which is sprung about thethrottle rod B. This clamp embodies a substantially cylindrical barrelportion 22 and laterally projecting ears 23. The ears are provided withopenings 2d. After the clamp 25 is placed in position over the rod R- abolt 25 is passed through the apertures E i and by tightening a nut onthe bolt the ears 23 can be brought into intimate contact to contractthe barrel 22 into gripping contact with the throttle rod. By referringto Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that the ears 23 project laterally ortangentially from the rod R and that the clamp before the tighteningthereof can be moved longitudinally of the rod and entireiy around therod.

In conjunction with the clamp 2!, utilize an L-shaped attaching plate25. This ate 2% includes an attaching foot 2? and an angularly extendingleg 23. The foot 23 hasforrned therein an opening at and the foot isplaced against one ear 23 and the bolt 25 passes through the foot andfirmly connects the foot to the clear 2!. Before the tightening of thebolt, the L shaped plate can be swung around the bolt to difierentangular position The leg 28 has an opening therein for receiving theguide sleeve 12 of the switch S and after the switch is placed on theplate a lock nut 29 is utilized for clamping the switch to the plate.

A pull chain 353 is connected to the spring 29 and the outer end of thepull chain can be connected to a convenient and desired point on theengine in any desired way, such as by a screw 3 i, or an adjacent studbolt or the like (not shown). The spring 2! is utilized to take up slackin the chain, so that the chain will always be in a taut condition.

In view of the fact that the clamp 2i, can be rotated around the rod R,and longitudinally thereof, the switch can be disposed at any pointaround the rod and the angle of the switch S relative to the rod R canbe changed by loosening and then tightening the bolt. Hence, the switchis connected to the rod R for universal movement.

In the illustration, the rod R is shown in a position for opening thethrottle or the engine and when the throttle rod It moves to the left,Figures 1 and 2, as the driver removes his foot from the acceleratorpedal, the switch S will move to the left with the rod R and the disc Idof the switch will be moved into engagement with the contact 1? to bringabout the closing of a circuit through a signal slew light (not shown).

While the switch is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with awarning pre-brake, or slow light, obviously the switch and its mountingcan be used for other purposes.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or thescope of this invention, but what is claimed as new is:

In a device for opening and closing circuits on automobiles of the typeincluding a movable throttle rod and a stationary part, a switchincluding a body and a movable contact; means for securing the body tothe throttle rod for movement therewith, means operatively connectingthe movable contact with the stationary automobile part, and said meansfor connecting the switch body to the throttle rod including a clamphaving an open barrel adapted to be sprung around the throttle rod,laterally projecting ears on the longitudinal edges or the barrelprovided with aligned openings, the barrel being initially movablelongitudinally of and axially around the throttle rod, an angle plateincluding a foot and a leg, means attaching the body or the switch tothe leg and said foot being in abutting contact with one of the ears andprovided with an opening, and a bolt extending through the openings inthe ears and foot for tightening the barrel around the rod and foradjustably holding the angle plate on the clamp.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,523,603 lviichel Jan. 20, 1925 1,562,632 Gorden Nov. 24,1925 1,598,932 Pettus Sept. '7, 1926 2,178,343 Hebler Oct. 31, 19392,276,378 Duguay -e Mar. 17, 1942 2,339,910 Centrella Jan. 25, 194A2,520,681 Hanson Aug. 29, 1950

